Game Details
Ringwood Hawks (18-4 2nd) vs Launceston Tornadoes (14-8 8th)
NBL1 South Womens Preliminary final
Noon 28 August @ The Ring, Ringwood
Watch – available via Kayo
Listen – City Park FM Radio -103.7 and 96.5 in Launceston or online
Context
After a strong 79-68 win last night over Nunawading, the Tornadoes have advanced to the Preliminary Final against Ringwood. The winner will move on the Grand final, while other its game over, season 2022 is done.
Ringwood are hosting the Preliminary final after defeating Mt Gambier 77-71 in the Preliminary Final.
Team stat leaders
Ringwood
Marena Whittle 20.2 points per game
Marena Whittle 9.6 rebounds per game
Marta Hermida 6.7 assists per game
Digna Strautman 3.1 blocks per game
Launceston
Keely Froling 29.6 points per game
Keely Froling 14.2 rebounds per game
Marianna Tolo 5 assists per game
Marianna Tolo 2.3 rebounds per game
Roster Availability
While the Tornadoes are missing starting guard Makala Bingly, who has headed to the US for the upcoming college season. She was a key piece of the starting 5 all season, and she was missed in Saturdays Semi final win, with coach Sarah Veale only willing to use 6 players.
The Hawks will be at full strength.
Last time they met
The teams have met twice this season, with the home teams taking the win on both occasions.
Round 5, 21 May June 2022 – Launceston 90 defeated Ringwood 82 @ Elphin Sports Stadium
The Launceston Tornadoes overcame a slow start to overpower the Ringwood Hawks at Elphin Sports Stadium winning 90-82.
Griffin had 28 points for Launceston and Froling 25 points to go with 16 rebounds, while Marena Whittle put up 25 points for the Hawks.
Round 11, 10 July 2022 – Ringwood 92 defeated Launceston 59 @ The Rings, Ringwood
Missing Tolo and Griffin, this was a very one sided match, with the Hawks overpowering down the Tornadoes by 33 points.
For Launceston, Froling led her team, with 35 points and 19 points, leading the game in both categories. She was the only Tornado to reach double figrues in scoring.
But Ringwood played much better as a team, four of five starters scoring at least 14 points, and led by Hermida who came one rebound shy of a triple double – 20 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.
Keys to the game
Its hard to read too much into their last matchup, where Launceston were missing two of its “three headed monster” in Tolo and Griffin. But the loss was the biggest of the season for Launceston, so the Hawks showed they are a force in NBL1.
But for Launceston, how they back up less than 24 hours after their semi final win. Sarah Veale elected to play all her starters 39+ minutes, which could be huge factor in the closing stretches today.
For Ringwood, they will be led by their star duo of Whittle and Hermida. They have been strong all season, but showed their leadership as in the finals, a they came from behind to defeat Mt Gambier in the Qualifying final. Whittle was outstanding for Ringwood with 27 points and 10 rebounds with Marta Hermida adding 26 points, six boards and five assists.
